PRESS RELEASE
CND demands answers on safety concerns surrounding nuclear submarine refit
in Plymouth
10 Janaryr 2005: For immediate release
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament has today sent a list of recommendations
to Les Neverton Head of Environmental Services at Plymouth City Council.
The letter
highlights a number of serious concerns CND has about safety issues involved
in the ten year refit programme of Britain’s nuclear powered, nuclear
armed submarines in Devonport Dockyards. The concerns CND has raised highlight
serious safety concerns for the people of Plymouth and the recommendations
are ones the Council must put to the Ministry of Defence.
These recommendations come at a crucial time. The first of four nuclear
submarines has finished its refit and the second, HMS Victorious, will
be sailing into Devonport Dockyards by the end of the month.
The first submarine to undergo a refit, Vanguard, was due for a two year
refit which in fact overran by eight months, prompting MPs’ questions
and media enquiries about the costly extension to the already financially
crippling programme. The MOD had to admit that they were struggling with
reactor problems on Vanguard that were causing many months’ delay.
Looking at the Navy’s recent record with submarine disasters, this
does not bode well for the future.
Kate Hudson, Chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament said,
“We have serious concerns about the mounting series of problems
the Navy is experiencing with the new submarine technology; these problems
present grave safety concerns for the population of Plymouth. We are asking
the council to address these concerns before allowing the next Submarine
to arrive in Plymouth.
This refit programme is part of a bigger picture. The vast tragedy of
the Tsunami has been a timely reminder that the government should be spending
money on international aid to relieve suffering and not weapons to cause
more. This is yet another example of the government putting its warmongering
considerations first. Our government is committed under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation
Treaty to getting rid of its nuclear weapons. Instead, they are refitting
the Trident nuclear weapons submarines: not only failing to comply with
their Treaty obligations, but also bringing great dangers to the people
of Plymouth and the crews of these submarines. The refit must be brought
to an end and Trident scrapped.”
-ends-
Notes to editor:
1. Please contact Patrick van den Bulck, CND’s Campaigns Officer
for more information and comment on 07968 420 858
2. Please contact Ruth Tanner, CND's Press & Communications Officer
on 07968 420859 for further information on CND and its campaigns.
3. Letter
to Les Neverton head of environmental services at Plymouth City Council
4. Trident - Britain's nuclear weapon system - http://www.cnduk.org/pages/campaign/trident.html
Issues of concerns for the residence of Plymouth:
Radioactive discharge
- The people of Plymouth are extremely concerned about the effects of
the radioactive discharge from the submarine being refitted
- There is particular concern about Tritium. A radioactive element created
in the core and coolant system of the submarines whilst on operational
service.
Contamination of the marine environment
- · Once docked at Devonport, tritium is discharged from the
reactor into the River Tamar.
- · Tritium contamination of the River Tamar and the surrounding
marine environment is one of the most damaging results of the submarine
refits.
Emergency planning issues
- Local people are also concerned by the poor systems in place in the
case of Nuclear Emergency.
- Totally inadequate guidance, reminiscent of that given to the main
characters in the cartoon novel ‘When the Wind Blows’, has
been produced for residents.
History of protest in Plymouth
- The Nuclear Free Coalition was formed in 2002 to campaign against
the refit
- CND are at the centre of this large local protest movement which included
CANSAR, Friends of the Earth and local woman’s groups, anti war
groups and local environmental campaigners and individuals all opposed
to the refit taking place in their community.
- The biggest demonstration in Plymouths history took place in October
2002.
- Over 1000 people marched from Plymouth Hoe to the Devonport Docks
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